Feature  |  April 14, 2023

What are you doing in your neighborhood this Earth Week?

by Matt Scott

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Earth Week, which takes place April 14–22, is an occasion inviting people everywhere to turn their attention to climate change and find their role in climate solutions. Do you know how you’ll help the world counter climate change this coming Earth Week?

If you’re looking for your own Earth Week ideas, check out the Drawdown Solutions Library, our Job Function Action Guides, or partner resources like Drawdown Ecochallenge. Looking for even more ways you can make an impact, like some of the everyday climate heroes we’ve featured to-date through the climate solutions short documentary series Drawdown’s Neighborhood? Today, we invite you to learn how some of the local climate heroes and organizations featured in Drawdown’s Neighborhood interviewees are celebrating Earth Week in their communities.

Pittsburgh

Helping reach drawdown with reduced food waste

Story: Alexis Cromer: Climate Solutions Require Creativity

What: Become a #FoodRescueHero. “Our volunteers are our personal heroes. Seven days a week across six counties in western Pennsylvania, thousands of people are saving good food from going to landfill. With the 412 Food Rescue app, you can volunteer as much or as little as you’d like. Claim a weekly rescue to volunteer every week at the same place, same time. Or claim a one-time rescue that needs to be transported as soon as possible.”

When: Anytime!

Learn more >>

Helping reach drawdown with transportation electrification

Story: Sarah Olexsak: Fueling a New, Cleaner Era of Mobility

What: Sustainable Business Breakfast. “Pittsburgh Earth Day is proud to host the 9th annual Sustainable Business Breakfast, themed Rethink: How You Think About the Future, at the Fairmont Pittsburgh Hotel on Friday, April 21, 8–10 am, as part of The Green Voice Speaker Series. Event attendees will enjoy a continental breakfast while hearing from a panel of local sustainability leaders and experts,” including Tishekia Williams, managing director of external affairs and regulatory law for Duquesne Light,

When: Friday, April 21, 8–10 am

Learn more >> 

Helping reach drawdown with trees

Story: Clara Kitongo: Going to the Roots to Find Your Climate Superpower

What: Heritage Nursery Volunteer Saturday. “Volunteer with Tree Pittsburgh in our Heritage Nursery! Please register here so we know to expect you. It’s transplanting season, and we are looking for volunteers with a green thumb to help us transplant our young seedlings into larger containers. The majority of these trees and shrubs will be used in our future tree adoptions.”

When: Saturday, April 22, 10 am–2 pm 

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Helping reach drawdown with building retrofits

Story: Erica Cochran Hameen: Climate Solutions & Equity Go Hand in Hand

What: Member-only Happy Hour at CMU Intelligent Workplace. “Join us for a Happy Hour exploring Carnegie Mellon University’s Robert L. Preger Intelligent Workplace, which is home to the School of Architecture’s Center for Building Performance and Diagnostics (CBPD). This space is a treasure trove of research that has been testing innovations in creating healthy and efficient spaces for decades. This is one of our region’s best kept secrets, where internationally renowned research in the green building industry is happening right in our own backyard… [Among other things], GBA members will hear from CMU researchers including GBA board member Dr. Erica Cochran Hameen … about the team’s work to advance healthy and high-performance spaces for all building users.”

When: Thursday, April 27, 5:30–7:00

Learn more >>   

Atlanta

Helping reach drawdown with improved agriculture

Story: Demetrius Milling: Collaborative Farming for a Livable Future

What: Spring Plants at Local Farmers Markets. “Join us to shop for plant starts and organic amendments for your spring and summer garden.  A full list of varieties we grow can be found on our Spring Plant Sale page.”

When: Sunday, April 16, 9 am–1 pm at Grant Park Farmers Market; Thursday, April 20, 4–8 pm at East Atlanta Village Farmers Market; Saturday, April 22, 8:30 am–12:30 pm at Freedom Farmers Market; Sunday, April 23, 9 am–1 pm at Grant Park Farmers Market

Learn more >>

Helping reach drawdown with climate solutions at home

Story: Blair Beasley: Toward Our Common Future: Drawdown Georgia

What: Everyday Climate Solutions: Tools to Help You Take Action at Home. “Earth Day is just around the corner. Are you feeling inspired to take action and reduce your carbon footprint? Then you won’t want to miss our FREE webinar that will identify some of the most impactful ways you help grow climate solutions in Georgia. From starting a compost system in your yard to eating less meat to upgrading to an electric car or truck, there are so many ways that each of us can make a difference. You’ll leave this webinar feeling inspired and empowered to take action on climate at home and in your community.” Moderated by Blair Beasley, director of climate strategies at the Ray C. Anderson Foundation.

When: Monday, April 17, 11 am ET (online) 

Learn more >> 

Helping reach drawdown with reduced food waste

Story: Adam Hicks: Making an Impact on Climate & Food Justice

What: Adventure Pick Volunteer—Spring Break in the Swamp! “Yeehaw, y’all! It’s time for our third annual Spring Break in the Swamp!! Join us for this super special two day Adventure Pick in sunny north Florida April 22–23. On Saturday, we’ll glean cabbage, kale, and/or onion from the south’s largest organic farm. After the pick, we’ll hit up one of the MANY crystal blue springs in the area and set up camp for the night. On Sunday morning, we’ll kayak the legendary, pristine Ichetucknee Springs in hopes of seeing MANATEES! (Oh and gators, birds, and all sorts of fish). Sign up here to join us.”

When: Saturday, April 22, 12–4 pm

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Twin Cities

Helping reach drawdown with renewable energy

Story: Whitney Terrill: Mobilizing an Interfaith Movement for Climate Solutions

What: Film Screening: Current Revolution. “Join MNIPL for an Earth Week screening and discussion of a new docuseries on renewable energy transition. Current Revolution, a series of short films from the American Resilience Project, explores the transition from fossil fuels to renewables with a focus on national security, economic prosperity, and environmental justice. The films show how the nation can embrace smart policies and investments that support grid modernization through distributed renewable energy generation and ensure that the transition is just and sustainable.”

When: Monday April 17, 7–8 pm

Learn more >> 

Helping reach drawdown with plant-based diets

Story: Cris Phillips: Growing Food for Health, Wealth, and Social Change

What: Community Cooks @ Breaking Bread Cafe. “Community Cooks workshops bring community members together to cook, eat, learn, and discuss social change. All are welcome and dinner is on us! Bring your friends, neighbors, and family!”

When: Wednesday, April 19, 5–7:30 pm

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Helping reach drawdown with used waste

Story: Jan Hagerman: Imagining the Possibilities, Using What We Have

What: Volunteer at ReStore. “Sign up for a 4-hour shift to see if volunteering is right for you! ReStore outlets are open Tuesday through Saturday, with volunteer opportunities open to individuals Tuesday through Friday. You can help merchandise or display items throughout the store, receive donations, cashier, or help customers. Don't worry, we'll show you what needs to be done and then work together!”

When: See available volunteer openings

Learn more >> 

Helping reach drawdown with solar power

Story: Bob Blake: Tribal Nations Can Lead a Clean Energy Future

What: Volunteer with Solar Bear. “Whether you are donating your time or financial resources, your generosity helps us achieve our goals. Solar Bear has experienced rapid growth since our inception. We appreciate your support as it helps us continue our environmental and social mission.”

When: Contact Solar Bear

Learn more >> 

Does this list spark ideas for you? Will you attend one of these events, participate in a similar event in your community, or create one of your own? Let us know by posting on social media (tagging @ProjectDrawdown and using #DrawdownsNeighborhood) how you’re spending this Earth Week. To discover solutions and take action with more stories from Drawdown’s Neighborhood, visit drawdown.org/neighborhood.

Press Contacts

If you are a journalist and would like to republish Project Drawdown content, please contact press@drawdown.org.

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Drawdown Stories

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